Minnow-pail.



v No.-7fl3,890. Patented Nov. l8, I902. W. J. E. KOCH.

MINNOW PAIL.

(Application filed Mar. 24, 1902.)

(No Model.)

m: norms PE'YERS o0: Puo'rmumo WASNiNGTON, n. c.

llnirrnn PATENT rrrcn.

\VILLIAM J. E. KOCH, OF MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE- HALF TOLEWIS L. LANE, OF MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA.

MINNOjW-PAIL.

SPECIFICATIQN forming part of Letters Patent No. 713,890, dated November18, 1902. Application filed March 24, 1902. Serial No- 99,600. (Nomodel.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WVILLIAM J.'E. KooH, of Minneapolis, Hennepincounty, Minnesota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inMinnow-Pails, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to bait-pails adapted particularly for minnows,though other live bait, such as frogs, may be kept in it, if desired.

The object of the invention is to provide a pail or receptacle suitableto contain live bait when fishing from the shore or from a boat, and inthe latter case adapted to be kept in the boat or deposited in the waterat the side thereof, as preferred.

A further and particular object of the invention is to provide a pailfrom which the bait can be easily and quickly selected and removed as itis needed.

The invention consists generally in a pail, bucket, or other receptacleadapted to contain minnows or otherlive bait and provided with a movablebottom section or member with means for raising the same to elevate thebait to the top of the pail for convenient inspection and removal.

Further, the invention consists in various constructions andcombinations, all as hereinafter described, and particularly pointed outin the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, Figure1 is a vertical section of the outer pail or bucket, showing theposition of the minnow-receptacle proper therein. Fig. 2 is aperspective view of the inner pail. Fig. 3 is a vertical section inperspective of the inner pail, showing the bottom member in its elevatedposition. Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the movable bottom memberor section removed from the pail.

In the drawings, 2 represents the outer pail or bucket adapted tocontain a supply of water and having a suitable handle 3 for conveniencein carrying. This bucket is employed in fishing from the shore or whenthe bait is kept in the boat, a sufficient quantity of water beingplaced in the bucket and renewed from time to time to keep the baitalive.

The bait-pail proper consists of the top 4,

having a flanged edge 5, that is adapted to rest upon the top of thepail2,and a depressed middle portion provided with a central hole oropening 6. The depression in the top 4 permits ice to be carried thereonwithout danger of slipping oil. Beneath the top and surrounding the hole6 is a ring 7, tapered slightly from the bottom to the top, and out sidesaid ring is a wall 8, forming therewith and with the top 4 an annularair-chamber 9. This chamber serves to support the bait-receptacle andpermits of its being deposited in the water at the side of the boatwithin convenient reach of the fisherman. Secured to the lower edge ofthe ring 7 is a wall 10, which I have shown composed of wire mesh; butany other suitable material, such as perforated sheet metal, may beemployed in place thereof. This wall forms the lower portion of thebait-pail proper, and at its lower end is provided with a flanged ring11, that serves to stiffen and brace the walls and prevent their beingaccidentally twisted or bent out of shape. Through this ring 11 accessis permitted to the bottom of the bait-pail. Within the ring 7 and thewall 10 I provide a comparatively narrow ring 12, preferably of sheetmetal, and perforated and provided with a bottom 13, which I have showncomposed of wire mesh, though other material may be employed, ifpreferred. This ring normally rests upon the ring 11 at the bottom ofthe pail, and the part 13 closes the opening through the ring 11 andprevents the escape of the bait through the bottom of the pail. The ring12 also has a sufficiently close joint with the parts 7 and 10 toprevent minnows of the size usually used for fishing from getting inbetween them.

The top 4 is provided with holes 14,wherein the legs or rods 15,connected at their lower ends to the rings 12, are vertically slidabl'e.These rods are connected by a cross-bar 16 at their upper ends that isprovided with a finger loop or curl 17, and on said bar a cover 18 issecured by solder or other suitable means. This cover is adapted toclose the hole 6 and prevent the accidental escape of the bait. Theinner pail is provided with a suitable bail 19 for convenience incarrying when removed from the water-containing bucket.

In using the device the pail is placed within the inner receptacle,which is then set inside the bucket 2,that is partially filled withwater, or the inner receptacle is deposited in the water at the side ofthe boat. Whenever a minnow is needed for bait, the .fisherman graspingthe loop 17 will lift the ring 12 and its bottom to the top of the pail,as shown in Fig. 3. The cover 18 will be raised simultaneousiy, and byreaching through the hole 6 the fisherman can select and remove theminnow that he desires to use, all the bait in the pail having beenraised to a convenient point for inspection by the upward movement ofthe ring 12. The minnows will be lifted entirely out of the water, andas they lie upon the meshes of the bottom 13 the fisherman can easilypick up the one that he wants without handling or injuring the others.

In the ordinary minnow-pail itis customary or necessary to thrust thehand into the water and attempt to sieze the minnow desired. It isalways difficult to do this and it frequently happens that the wrongminnow is caught,

and sometimes several are injured before the one sought for is secured.By providing this movable bottom or auxiliary bucket I am able to raiseall the bait in the pail out of the water and in position where it canbe easily examined and the minnow of the proper size selected. The ring7, being tapered and of less diameter at the top than at the bottom,

' will cause the part 12 to be wedged therein when in the position shownin Fig. 3, so that the fisherman need only use but one hand in openingthe pail and selecting the bait. As soon as the desired bait has beenremoved from the pail the fisherman will strike the cross-bar 16 or thecover a quick sharp blow and the cover and auxiliary bucket will returnby gravity to their normal position, the former closing the hole 6 andthe latter submerging the bait within the water of the outer pail or inthe stream or lake as the case may be. When it is desired to bait thehook again, the operation above described is repeated. I have shown theinner receptacle or bait-pail proper composed partially of wire mesh andpartially of sheet metal; but it will be understood that I do notconfine myself to the employment of these materials, as I may find itmore advantageous to construct the pail entirely of sheet metal. In thismatter I shall be governed by the comparative expense of manufacturing.

I am aware that bait-pails have been heretofore provided withair-chambers, and hence I make no claim broadly to the same herein, theessential feature of my invention residing in the movable bottom memberor auxiliary bucket whereby the bait can be lifted to the top of thepail for convenience of inspection and removal.

I claim as my invention- 1. A bait-receptacle, comprising a bottomlesspail having an opening in its top, a movable member adapted when in itsnormal position to close the lower end of said pail and form a bottomtherefor, and means for rais ing said member.

2. A bait-receptacle, comprising a bottomless pail having an air-chamberand adapted to float upon the surface of the water and provided with anopening in its top, a movable member adapted when in its.normal positionto close the lower end of said pail and form a bottom therefor, andmeans for raising and lowering said member.

3. In a bait-pail having a suitable top provided with a removal opening,a movable bottom member or part, a bail slidable in said top andconnected with said bottom part, and a cover carried by said bail andadapted to close said opening when said bottom member is in itsdepressed position and be raised above said opening when said bottommemher is lifted. I

4. A bottomless bait-pail, comprising walls having a top provided withan opening and a flanged bracing-ring in its open bottom and aperforated bucket normally resting upon said ring and adapted to beraised to lift the bait to a position for conveniently reaching the samethrough the opening in said top.

5. In a minnowpail having perforated walls, a movable bottom member orbucket, 5 means for raising the same to lift the minnows out of thewater at the top of the pail, and the upper walls of said pail beingtapered to engage and wedge said bottom member, for the purposespecified. I00

6. In a minuowpail having perforated walls, and a top provided with acentral opening, a ring 12 having a bottom 13 slidable within said pail,rods connected with said ring and adapted to slide in said top, and acover carried by said rods and movable therewith for closing saidcentral opening.

7. In a minnowpail having perforated walls, a movable bottom member orbucket, means for raising the same to lift the minnows out of the waterat the top of the pail, and means provided in the upper walls of saidpail to engage and lock said bottom member, for the purpose specified.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my 1 I 5 hand this 20th day ofMarch, 1902.

WILLIAM J. E. KOCH.

In presence of RICHARD PAUL, M. O. NooNAN.

